Filter Content
Newsletter Week 10
Evening Prayer during Lent
There is a moment at the end of each day, when we lay our head on our pillows. Our bodies are tired, our minds relax, and our egos let go. It is a solitary moment. If we listen carefully in that moment, we will discover where we stand. Where we stand with God, where we stand with those we love, and where we stand with our truest self.
No matter what kind of day you just had, spending a few moments with God in evening prayer is a wonderful way to end every single day during Lent…and for the rest of your life!
Heavenly Father,
The evening has come and the day is done. Let your peace wash over me and the people I love. Wipe away my troubles. Cleanse me of worry and doubt. Give deep and peaceful rest to my heart, mind, and soul, so I may rise in the morning ready to love you and all those who cross my path.
Amen.
Staff Development Day (Pupil Free)
Just a reminder that
- Friday, 11 April and
- Monday, 28 April
are both Staff development days. Students return for Term 2 on Tuesday, 29 April.
End of Term Liturgy & Assembly - Thursday, 10 April
Our whole school Holy Week Liturgy will be held in the church starting at 9.30am. Afterwards, parents will be invited to the hall for morning tea followed by our Term 1 assembly starting at 11.30am.
Cross Country
Huge thank you to Jazmin Tikkeros for the excellent preparation and running of the School Cross Country last week. There were a few things done differently which proved very successful. We did have confusion at the end of one of the races which has been sorted and ideas tabled to see that this doesn’t happen again. We received some feedback regarding the parents being separated from where the students were seated. While I know some parents weren’t happy with this arrangement, from a school perspective it was very successful. At the swimming carnival, there was a lot more cross over with parents which made locating and organising students quite challenging at times. With students sitting in age groups at the cross country, they were much more attuned to listening to the teachers which helped the overall running of the day. While we love having parents/carers present for all kinds of events, managing nearly 370 students does sometimes require maintaining some separation.
Whole School Drone Photo
Due to the high winds on Monday, this photo has been rescheduled for Friday, 2 May (Week 1)
Justice of the Peace
Ms Liz Pellizzari is a registered Justice of the Peace - for parents who require legal documents verified. Please contact the office if you would like to arrange a meeting with Liz.
Kindergarten Home Reading Information Sessions
As Term 2 begins, we warmly invite all Kindergarten parents and carers to join us for an information session on helping your child with their home readers. The sessions will be held in the Parish Centre. You can attend on either Monday, 5 May from 2:10 - 2:40pm or the repeat session on Tuesday, 6 May from 9:00 - 9:30am. If you are unable to make either of these time we will also share a recording of the information session that you can view at home at a time that suits you. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. South.
Mobile Phones / Smart Watches
Reminder that any students who brings a mobile phone or smartwatch to school needs to leave it in the office when they arrive on site and then collect it from the office at 2.45pm.
Dropping in ‘Forgotten’ Things
We have a lot of parents dropping off various ‘things’ that children are forgetting. Please consider this becoming a learning curve for your children. Leaving hats, iPads, pencil cases, library books, news item, etc at home is not the end of the world and children are more likely to remember the next time. This happens to all of us at times and we learn to deal with the consequences. Lunch boxes are a little different as children need their food. Our aim is to develop independent learners where children can take responsibility for themselves. There will be one-off situations and extenuating circumstances at times but I write this for parents to consider. Please be assured that there will be no judgement if you do drop something off in the office.
LEADERSHIP TEAM SUPPORT PERSON
Assistant Principal: Mrs Dimitra Vezinias (Pastoral Care, Curriculum, Wellbeing, Diverse Learning, Behaviour)
Early Stage 1: Mrs Kristy South /Mrs Emma Thomas
Stage 1: Mrs Kristy South /Mrs Emma Thomas
Stage 2: Mrs Louise Sartor
Stage 3: Ms Bethany Tirchett
Sport: Miss Jazmin Tikkeros
Office: Mrs Louise Locke (- please direct all email / phone messages through the office as teachers do not check email or phone messages during learning time.)
Minor Head Injuries
Further updates in Compass now allow for minor injuries to the head of a student be relayed to parents via SMS. These injuries are assessed as usual in the office and if deemed ‘minor’, an SMS will be sent. As usual, if deemed more significant, a parent will be contacted via a phone call. This process will free up a lot of time for office staff having to look up phone numbers and individually call parents. By minor injuries, we are looking at a soft ball bouncing on their head or lightly bumping a head on another child’s shoulder. If there is a significant bump on concrete or other hard surface, or head clash with another student, parents will always be contacted via phone.
Personalised Plans
Thank you to all our parents/carers and students who attended our Personalised Planning Meetings during Term 1. Catholic Schools NSW (CSNSW) redeveloped the Personalised Planning Tool in 2024 for Students with Disability (PPSD). Personalised Plans will be available in Week 11 and sent electronically via COMPASS. During the following term and Semester 2, your class teacher will contact you to review and monitor your child’s plan.
Thank you for your continued support.
Mrs Dimitra Vezinias and Mrs Amy Runko and the DLST Team
LIFE EDUCATION
The Illawarra Life Education Mobile Classroom will be visiting our school from
- Tuesday 29 April till Monday 5 May.
Life Education is a charitable organisation, which provides a positive approach to health and drug education. Life Education encourages respect for the uniqueness of each individual, and teaches the skills to assert confidently that uniqueness, especially in social settings with friends.
Life Education programs are based on the latest research, and provide high quality drug education featuring role-play; social skills training; correction of common myths; and varied, fast-moving and interactive activities. Life Education Australia believes prevention is better than cure!
The cost of the program is covered by the resource fee, which includes worksheets for follow-up work in the classroom.
Reminder: Parents/carers can purchase Healthy Harold merchandise for their children through our online store. Simple select 'Parent/carer ordering for child', choose your desired items, add them to your cart, and complete the checkout process. Online orders close one day before your school visit starts. All items will be delivered by the Life Ed educator during your school's Healthy Harold visit. For more information, click here.
Click here to view parent flyers with your students’ families to reinforce key learning at home and support ongoing conversations about their health and wellbeing.
A Parent Information session will be held on Tuesday 29th April at 9.00am. If you are interested please email: info@stwwdow.catholic.edu.au
Dimitra Vezinias
Assistant Principal
Upcoming Teacher Professional Learning Development
Throughout the year teachers have access to a variety of quality professional development opportunities. Casual teachers are employed to cover classes with the teacher ensuring the teaching program and routines are followed.
Week |
Date |
Staff Member/s |
Purpose |
|
10 |
31/3/25 and 1/4/25 |
Miss Tikkeros, Mrs Runko & Mrs Merrett |
Teaching Phonemic Awareness & Phonics |
|
10 |
31/3/25 |
Miss Muir and Mrs South |
ECT Mentee/Mentor |
|
10 |
1/4/25 |
Miss Turvey and Mrs South, Mrs Dipetro and Mrs Sartor |
ECT Mentee/Mentor |
|
10 |
2/4/25 |
Mr Wells and Ms Tirchett |
ECT Mentee/Mentor |
|
10 |
2/4/25 |
Miss Ferderer |
Mackillop Trials |
|
10 |
3/4/25 |
Mrs Sartor |
PDHPE Working Party |
|
10 |
3/4/25 |
Mrs Di Pietro & Mrs Thomas |
Alight for the World |
|
10 |
4/4/25 |
Mrs South, Mrs Johansson, Mrs Sartor, Mrs Vezinias |
English Curriculum Day |
|
11 |
7/4/25 & 8/4/25 |
Miss Muir and Miss Turvey |
Teaching Phonemic Awareness & Phonics |
|
11 |
11/4/25 |
All staff |
Staff Development day Berry Street Education Model- Day 3 |
St Therese Catholic School Core Values
Collaboration - Community - Excellence - Inclusion - Respect
Principal's Awards
Ollie J - 3G
Anna J - 3B
Bridie L - 6G
Mark N - 2G
Riel T - 4G
Gold Medallion
Finn K - 6G
Savannah N - 6G
COMMUNITY NOTICE
Counselling at CatholicCare
Are you feeling overwhelmed? Do you feel like you need some more support with parenting?
CatholicCare Wollongong offer professional counselling services to support you through life's challenges. Their counsellors provide a listening and independent ear and will equip you with strategies and tools for coping with stress and major life changes.
Counselling is available in-person in Nowra, Wollongong and Campbelltown or via phone or online.
Visit our website to learn more: https://catholiccare.dow.org.au/services-and-programs/family/family-care/counselling/
Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT
Tell us about your experiences as a Catholic school parent and what you'd like to know more about.
We value every parent's thoughts and opinions!
Council of Catholic School Parents (CCSP) NSW/ACT would like to know how involved/engaged you feel you are in your child's learning at a NSW/ACT Catholic school, how connected you feel in your child's school, and your thoughts on how schools could enhance family-school partnerships.
This data informs our parent learning program and provides us with valuable information about how our dioceses and schools are engaging with families.
Thank you so much for taking time out to give us your feedback.
Please use the following link to access the survey: https://ccsp.schoolzineplus.com/survey/71.
IDO Expo: A Networking Opportunity for NDIS Participants
The Illawarra Disability Options (IDO) Expo provides an opportunity for families of NDIS participants to familiarise themselves with local disability service providers and registered training organisations. This annual event is of particular relevance to students with disability planning post school pathways.
When: Thursday 3 April 2025 11.00 am to 3.00 pm
Where: The Fraternity Club, 11 Bourke Street, Fairy Meadow
St Therese School Facebook Page
www.facebook.com/westwollongong.sttherese
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Easter Hat Parade - Expectations
STUDENT BIRTHDAYS
Birthdays
2 April 2025 - 29 April 2025
PARISH INFORMATION
BAPTISMS
For any new requests please contact the Parish Office (email: westwollongong@dow.org.au any time or call 4243 9610 on Tuesdays 9am-3pm).
God bless you all,
Fr Duane
Calendar Dates 2025
**These dates are acurate at the time of publishing but are subject to change**
2025
April 2025
3 - Paul Kelly Cup
6 - Daylight Savings Time
8 - Easter Hat Parade
10 - Last Day Term 1 2025
9.30am Holy Week Liturgy in Church - whole school
10.50am Morning Tea in Hall
11.20am End of Term 1 Assesmbly
11 - Staff Development Day
14 - Holy Week
18 - Good Friday
19 - Holy Saturday
20 - Easter Sunday
21 - Easter Monday
25 - Anzac Day
28 - Term 2 commences
29 - 5 May - Life Education Van
May 2025
7 - Mothers Day Stall
8 - 9.00am Mothers Morning Tea followed by Open Classrooms
9 - Year 4 Excursion to The Rocks
12 -13 - NRMA Science & Road Saftey Incursion
14 - 16 Year 6 Camp
16 - Walk Safely To School Day
19 - Athletics Carnival - Beaton Park
26 - National Sorry Day
27 - 3 June - Reconcilation Week
29 - Band Eisteddfod
June 2025
3 - Mabo Day
Year 6 - Confirmation
5 - World Environment Day
9 - King's Birthday - Public Holiday
17 - Registration Night for 2025 Reconcilation and First Hoily Communion - Year 3
19 - Registration Night for 2025 Reconcilation and First Hoily Communion - Year 3
July 2025
3 - 10 - NAIDOC WEEK
4 - Last Day of Term 2
10.50am Morning Tea in Hall
11.20am End of Term 2 Assesmbly